Nerves of Jello...building an SDP 40

[Puddington]

So, until quality SD 40's are a dime a dozen, especially undecorated, "never seen the rails" brand new ones, it may be understandable to have a case of "Jell-o nerves" when contemplating cutting one up to attempt to make a Great Northern SDP 40.

The SD 40 is the same length over the coupler facings (60.8 ft) same height and width as the SDP 40 except that the rear end is very different. One would have to cut off the back of the SD 40; make a rear 8 or 9 feet, modify the porch, ladders and roof. Doubting there are stock parts available; one would have to scratch/steal some shuttered boiler intakes, dummy up some roof piping and exhaust stacks, figure out how to extend the walkway almost to the coupler face and then extend the railings.....

Am I up to this challenge............... :-[

Ideas....? Suggestions........? Warnings........?

Here's the back end of the beastie.............
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1318996

[Robbman]

You'll need an SD40 and an SD45... the SDP40 uses the same sill as the SD45 (cab and nose are further forward than on a SD40).  You'll need the rear pilot and stepwells and rear handrails from an IM SD40T-2 or SD45T-2.  Side railings will need to be fabbed up... since you're doing a GN unit, as they had the rear water fills on both sides.

[wazzou]

There is an article on building one by Major Tony Hammes in NSR.  I have the issue.  If you need scans, let me know.

[up1950s]

Railroad related Jello from Wicky !

"Gelatin, a protein produced from collagen extracted from the boiled bones, connective tissues, and intestines of animals, has been well-known and used for many years.

It was popularized in the Victorian era with spectacular and complex "jelly moulds". Gelatin was sold in sheets and had to be purified, which was very time-consuming. It also made gelatin desserts the province of the relatively well-to-do. In 1845, industrialist Peter Cooper (who built the first American steam-powered locomotive, the Tom Thumb), obtained a patent (US Patent 4084) for powdered gelatin.[1][2]"

[Chris333]

If the SD40 and SDP40 are the same wheelbase then why did they need to extend the blower duct so far back?

[Mark5]

If the SD40 and SDP40 are the same wheelbase

The SD38, SD40, SD45, SD39 and SDP40 all shared the same frame, as well as other components.

[Puddington]

There is an article on building one by Major Tony Hammes in NSR.  I have the issue.  If you need scans, let me know.

What edition - I have em all and had forgotten about that...

[screeh]

Jan/Feb 2010 (pp43-7)

I agree with Robbman about using parts from an SD45 (I plan to use the front hood, cab and walkway) as this might simplify the process described by LTC Hammes.

Have fun Puddy, I hope to see the results in a future weekend update!

Stu

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Dooo it!

[Puddington]

Dooo it!

Says you............... ;D

[Puddington]

Anyone know where I can get side drawings of both the SD 40 and SDP 40 ?........might help.

[Packer]

Here's one from a site I know of. Don't know about the accuracy though...
http://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20EMD%20SDP40.HTML
http://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20EMD%20SD40.HTML

BTW, this is one build I'd like to attempt when finaces and time permit. Of course I'd build one as a Bicentennial to got with my other 2 bicentennials

[Mark5]

Anyone know where I can get side drawings of both the SD 40 and SDP 40 ?........might help.

SD40 here:

http://paintshop.railfan.net/emd3.html#6xhood

SDP40 here:

http://www.trainweb.org/willstrainart/Train_Art_files/EMD_Line/SDP40.htm

Mark

[Chris333]

If there are any old drawings in MR let me know.

[Robbman]

If the SD40 and SDP40 are the same wheelbase then why did they need to extend the blower duct so far back?

GNs SDP40s had internal water tanks for the steam generator, so they have a rear water fill/overflow on each side... if you look at the non-blower duct side, you'll see the cover plates for that filler and how the handrails had to be modified to go over it.  On the blower duct side, a falsework was put there (the blower duct itself still terminates in the same spot)


The Diesel Shop drawing is incorrect (cab in the same spot) and the Trainweb drawing is closer, but doesn;t look right to me.  I'll dig up my EMD crap on these later... I gotta go eat, drink and be merry first